Biography

Mediation is a distinct profession. While a knowledge of the law, finance, family dynamics, and child development are important, it is mastery of conflict resolution that is key. Unlike many who bold themselves out as mediators, I do not “dabble” in mediation as a sideline or as something to do in retirement after a career in law. Lawyering (and serving as a judge) do not necessarily translate into mediation skills and are sometimes a detriment to those who attempt to switch roles. In mediation, the parties - not the mediator - create the terms of their agreement.

I have been a mediator for 35 years, while maintaining a selective divorce law Practice. Mediation has been the major part of my practice (95%), and, for last several years mediation has been 100% of my practice. In addition to extensive training as a mediator and attorney, I regularly attend multi-disciplinary conferences of mental health professionals, judges, financial planners and attorneys. In addition, I stay current with research on the impact of divorce on children and effective mediation practices. To augment my conflict resolution skills (even though mediation is not therapy) I completed a private tutorial in family systems and couples counseling with University of Chicago clinical faculty.

I train new mediators for the Illinois State Bar Association, provide advance mediation trainings for mediation organizations, and conduct a mediation consultation group for other mediators.

Education

• University of Chicago Law School, Chicago, Illinois

  • J.D. - 1972

• University of Chicago

  • B.A. - 1969

  • Honors: With High Honors

  • Major: Political Science

Bar Admission

• Illinois, 1973

• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1973

• U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1973

• U.S. Supreme Court, 2013

Honors

• Super Lawyer, 2013 - 2024

• Leading Lawyer, 2013 - 2024

Published Works

• Preparing Clients for Family Mediation, Lake County Bar Journal, February, 2021

Teaching and Training Positions

• Family Mediation, Illinois State Bar Association, 2020 to 2024

• Civil Mediation, Illinois State Bar Association, 2020 to 2024

• Mediation, IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2012

• Mediation, North Central College, 1998 to 2003

• Business Law, DePaul University, 1979 to 1982

Certified Legal Specialties

• Trainer, Family Mediation, Illinois State Bar Association, 2021- present

• Agriculture Mediation Program, U.S.D.A., certified program for Illinois (mediation of USDA programs such as environment, contract disputes, land use, lending, housing)

Pro-Bono Activities

• Circuit Court of Lake County, Volunteer Mediator: Family and Small Claims, 2000 to 2024

Past Positions

• Cook County States Attorney, Assistant States Attorney, 1973 to 1975

• Illinois Appellate Court, Clerk for Justice J. Drucker, 1972 to 1973

Current Employment Position

• Mediator, Mediation Trainer & Attorney

Background And Professional Experience

Mediation Services:

Based on his extensive experience and training, Jerry is often recruited to mediate other types of disputes by attorneys and government agencies, including: EEO, Americans With Disabilities Act cases, family business disputes, probate disputes, school disputes, employment disputes, disputes arising in and between not-for-profits, contracts, and adult guardianship disputes.

Teaching:

2022 – present: Train mediators in family and civil mediation for the Illinois State Bar Association.

1997 – 2013: Guest lectures to undergraduate and graduate mediation students, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

2008: Visiting professor, IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, LLM Mediation class.

1998 – 2003: Lecturer, undergraduate and graduate mediation courses, North Central College, Naperville.

1979 – 1983: Visiting professor, DePaul College of Commerce.

1973 – 1976: Instructor, IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.

1996 – present: Periodic in-service presentations for mental health practitioners dealing with couples and elder care.

Other Mediation Activities:

President, Mediation Council of Illinois, 1994 – 1999, 2020 – present.

Representative for Illinois at Convention to draft Model Standards of Practice for Family Mediation, 1998 – 2000, adopted by the three major professional organizations – American Bar Association, Association for Conflict Resolution, and Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

Volunteer Mediator, Domestic Relations Division, Lake County Circuit Court, 2006 – present.

Convenor of monthly consultation group for other mediators, 2006 – present.

Advanced mediation training for local, state and national organizations, 1994 – present.

Mediation Internship and mentoring for new mediators, 1999 -present.

Consultant for various mediation programs, 1998 – present

Judge for International Law School mediation competitions, 2012 – present.

Professional Associations:

Academy of Professional Family Mediators, Founding Member, 2010 – present, Advanced Practitioner.

Association for Conflict Resolution (formerly Academy of Family Mediators), 1992 – present, Advanced Practitioner Member (and approved consultant).

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, 1991 – present. (Multi-disciplinary, international professional organization of mediators, judges, lawyers, custody evaluators).

Collaborative Divorce Illinois, 2002 – present. Incorporator, Founding Secretary, and Fellow.

American Bar Association, 1973 – present. Section of Dispute Resolution and Family Law.

Illinois State Bar Association, 1973 – present. Appointed to Section Council of Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2000 – 2002, 2016 – present.

Chicago Bar Association, 1973 – present.

Lake County Bar Association, 1992 – present. Family Law Committee. Committee to establish a mediation program for LCBA and Drafting Mediation Rule for Lake County Circuit Court.

Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County, 1994 – present. Secretary, 1999 – 2009.

Wisconsin Association of Mediators, 1992 – present, board member 2018 – present.

Appointed to mediate cases for various federal agencies, 1996 – present.

Honors and Professional Status:

Certified Mediator, Mediate.com

Certified Mediator, Circuit Court of Lake County, Illinois

Certified Mediator, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois

Advanced Practitioner/Referral Member, Mediation Council of Illinois, Academy of Professional Family Mediators, Association for Conflict Resolution, Wisconsin Association of Mediators

Super Lawyer, 2013 – present, Alternative Dispute Resolution-Family

Leading Lawyer, 2013 – present, Alternative Dispute Resolution-Family